On the Passing of Frederick Buechner

Please note: The weekly lectionary sermon illustrations by Frederick Buechner normally posted on Mondays will be paused.

Dear friends,

It is with great sadness—but with even greater appreciation for his exceptional, long, and well-lived life—that I write to share the news of the passing of Rev. Frederick Buechner. He died peacefully in Rupert, VT on Monday, August 15, 2022, at the age of 96.

My father-in-law was humbled by the community of pastors and preachers who chose to include his quotes, aphorisms, insights, and illustrations in their sermons. He considered it a privilege to be able to make this small contribution to your ministries,

Here at the Frederick Buechner Center, we wanted to give each of you—should you desire it—the opportunity to celebrate the author’s life, work, and ministry in some small way this coming Sunday with your church families.

To that end, we have produced what we hope is a helpful resource for you as you prepare your sermons, the link for which is here.

Should you decide to acknowledge or quote my father-in-law’s work in your sermon this coming Sunday, I would be very grateful if you would get in touch and let me know. To do so, please email: daltshuler@frederickbuechner.org

The Frederick Buechner Center is committed to ensuring that Fred’s message, so powerfully manifested in his work and so vital in these uncertain and divided times, will be available to generations of readers to come.

With gratitude for your continuing partnership, from our family to yours,

David Altshuler

Son-in-law of Revd Frederick Buechner